Immigration Stranger

Meeting the Aussie!

Immigration after getting off the plane was an adventure in itself.

I was about an hour late landing but luckily there were very easy picture signs of bags with arrows pointing to the direction I had to go.

Immigration for foreigners was predictably jam packed with people in at least 6 lines that were so full they reached the path for people who had to walk by immigration area. The lines all folded in on themselves.

For once in my life I picked a good line. I'm pretty sure it was going faster than the other lines. It still took at least 40 minutes of waiting in line. However, despite the hot, sweaty wait, it didn't seem very long because I met my very first Australian IRL. He was coming up from his small town for a 5 day business trip to Seoul for a conference trade show. His business is importing and exporting foods so I assume it would be a very interesting and delicious business trip.

On his flight from Singapore was given an immigration card that was in Korean. In the immigration line he played the game of who probably speaks English figured - try the redhead!

I helped him fill in his card because mine was in English, and we spent our time in line talking about our plans in South Korea. He seemed really impressed that I was taking this adventure solo.

Even though I know we will never see each other again, I am really glad that my first conversation in Korea was so pleasant.

***Tiny tidbit, in your manky day and a half flight look you get to have your photo taken and fingerprints done during immigration. So wipe the sweaty hair out of your eyes and smile big!